It is the policy of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, to
maintain access for its community to local, national, and international
sources of information and to provide an atmosphere that encourages the
free exchange of ideas and sharing of information. Access to this
environment and the university`s information technology resources are a
privilege and must be treated with the highest standard of ethics.
The university expects all members of the community to use computing
and information technology resources in a responsible manner;
respecting the public trust through which these resources have been
provided, the rights and privacy of others, the integrity of facilities
and controls, and all pertinent laws and university policies and
standards.
This policy outlines the standards for acceptable
use of university computing and information technology resources that
include, but are not limited to, equipment, software, networks, data,
and telephones whether owned, leased, or otherwise provided by Rutgers.
This policy applies to all users of Rutgers computing and
information technology resources including faculty, staff, students,
guests, external individuals or organizations, and individuals
accessing external network services, such as the Internet via
university facilities.
Preserving the access to information
resources is a community effort that requires each member to act
responsibly and guard against abuses. Therefore, both the community as
a whole and each individual user have an obligation to abide by the
following standards of acceptable and ethical use:
1. Use only those computing and information technology resources for which you have authorization.
2. Use computing and information technology resources only for their intended purpose.
3. Protect the access and integrity of computing and information technology resources.
4. Abide by applicable laws and university policies and respect
the copyrights and intellectual property rights of others, including
the legal use of copyrighted software.
5. Respect the privacy and personal rights of others.
Failure to comply with the appropriate use of these resources threatens
the atmosphere for the sharing of information, the free exchange of
ideas and the secure environment for creating and maintaining
information property, and subjects one to discipline. Any member of our
community found using information resources for unethical and
unacceptable practices has violated this policy and is subject to
disciplinary proceedings including suspension of system privileges,
expulsion from school, termination of employment and/or legal action as
may be appropriate.
Rutgers reserves the right to limit or
restrict the use of its computing and information technology resources
based on institutional priorities and financial considerations, as well
as when it is presented with evidence of a violation of university
policies, contractual agreements, or state and federal laws.
Although all members of the community have an expectation of privacy,
if a user is suspected of violating this policy, his or her right to
privacy may be superseded by the university`s requirement to protect
the integrity of information technology resources, the rights of all
users, and the property of the university. The university, thus,
reserves the right to examine material stored on or transmitted through
its facilities if there is cause to believe that the standards for
acceptable and ethical use are being violated by a member of the
university community.
Specific guidelines for interpretation
and administration of this policy are given in the guidelines for
interpretation and administration of the acceptable use policy, which
can be found at the web site http://oit.rutgers.edu/acceptable-use.html.
